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National Horse Flu Emergency

EFA National Office, Monday, 27 August 2007

We have published a number of items on our site that relate principally to NSW. We wish to emphasise, however, that the outbreak of influenza is a NATIONAL emergency and applies to ALL horses, ponies, donkeys and other members of the horse family, not just to race horses.

Equine Influenza Hotline: 1800 675 888

As most of you know by now, there are concerns about a number of horses at Warwick (Qld.) having contracted the flu. The national “standstill” on horses still applies. NSW has the most severe restrictions on the movement of horses and the holding of events

We have been publishing information mainly from NSW sources because it seemed to be the most comprehensive and most up-to-date information available. People in outside NSW should check the website of their respective Department of Primary Industry. The web addresses are:

NSW: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Queensland: www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Victoria: www.dpi.vic.gov.au
Tasmania: www.dpiw.tas.gov.au
South Australia: www.pir.sa.gov.au
Western Australia: www.agric.wa.gov.au
Northern Territory: www.primaryindustry.nt.gov.au

For general information and links to other sources of information, visit the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) web http://www.horsecouncil.org.au.

You should also consider registering on their database, so that AHIC can contact you in emergency situations. You can do this on their web http://www.horsecouncil.org.au.

The Departments of Primary Industry in the various States are working together with Federal/National bodies to control the situation and to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The national “standstill” of horses will be reviewed later today or tomorrow. It is likely that future restrictions will vary from State to State, so please keep yourself informed.

This is a very serious situation for the whole horse industry, affecting many people and businesses.

The EFA and its Branches and Committees are reviewing the calendar or planned activities. The most immediate events have already been cancelled or postponed. If the spread of the EI virus is contained, we hope that we will have more certainty by the end of the week about the nature of restrictions and about the length of time, for which they will be in place.

We will do our best to keep you informed.

NSW DPI warning re internet vaccines

State Branches